Stoppage time strike stops the Reign in Chicago

LISLE, ILL. (April 18, 2015) — Seattle Reign FC (1-1-0, 3 pts) suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday, April 18, falling 1-0 to the Chicago Red Stars (1-0-0, 3 pts) in stoppage time at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle. Ill.

Reign FC forward Beverly Yanez found her second goal in two games while defender Kendall Fletcher tallied her first goal of the season.

Seattle opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after a frantic start from both sides. Megan Rapinoe — the reigning NWSL Player of the Week — sent in a corner kick that floated to the back post and an unmarked Yanez was there to head in the opening goal.

The lead didn’t last long as Chicago found their equalizer a minute later after midfielder Christen Press dribbled down the middle and fired a low shot out of the reach of goalkeeper Hope Solo and into the back of the net.

In the 35th minute, Chicago would score their second of the match to take the lead. Press would again be involved in the action as her cross found forward Jen Hoy who touched it in to give the Red Stars a 2-1 lead.

Three minutes later, Reign FC’s offense was hard at work at the other end. Rapinoe played a short corner to Little who in turn sent in a cross that defender Kendall Fletcher headed home to bring Reign FC level at 2-2 going into the half.

After a much calmer second half where both sides created numerous chances, Chicago found the game-winning goal in the opening moments of stoppage time.

A pin-pointed pass found Press who sprinted down the pitch before firing her shot past Solo to seal all three points for the home side.

Reign FC will continue play on the road against FC Kansas City on Thursday, April 23 at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Miss. The match kicks off at 5 p.m. (PT) with a live, high-definition webstream available atYouTube.com/NWSL.

Visit ReignFC.com or call (855) REIGN-FC for details on single match tickets. Seats start at $19.

Seattle Reign FC is one of nine teams in the National Women’s Soccer League. The NWSL is supported by the Canadian Soccer Association, Federation of Mexican Football and the United States Soccer Federation. The NWSL is the premier women’s professional soccer league in North America, featuring many of the top players from the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as talent from around the world. Seattle Reign FC train and host home matches at Memorial Stadium, located in the shadow of the Space Needle next to the Seattle Center. For more information on the club visit www.ReignFC.com or call 855-REIGNFC.